AAA Announces AI in EMS Member Forum
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Author: Samantha Hilker
HMA Releases New White Paper on Ground Ambulance Payment Challenges and Policy Options
Health Management Associates (HMA) has released a new white paper, “Ground Ambulance Payment Landscape: Challenges and Policy Options,” providing an in-depth examination of the complex payment environment facing ground ambulance services and exploring potential policy solutions to improve sustainability and access.
The publication adds to a growing body of ambulance-focused research developed by HMA in recent years. Notably, this is the fourth ambulance-related white paper HMA has published. These studies have helped elevate critical issues affecting ambulance providers and have informed discussions among policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders nationwide.
For members who may have missed previous reports, HMA’s recent ambulance-focused publications include:
- Medicare Advantage Ground Ambulance Cost Sharing Levels Strain Enrollees and Ground Ambulance Entities
- Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) Dataset Reflects Complexity and Challenges of the Industry, Highlights the Need to Improve and Continue Cost Data Collection
- Analysis of the Costs and Medicaid Payment Adequacy for Ground Ambulance Services in New York State
Together, these reports underscore the ongoing financial, operational, and reimbursement challenges confronting ground ambulance services while providing data-driven insights to support meaningful policy reform.
Members interested in reviewing the new or previous white papers can access them through HMA’s website.
Member Survey: DEA Ambulance Registration
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Employee Turnover Survey – Open Now!
Survey will be open June 1 – June 30, 2026.
The American Ambulance Association is partnering with Newton 360, an ambulance industry partner, to conduct our eighth annual industry turnover study. Our intent is to comprehensively collect and analyze ambulance industry employee turnover data to produce a report that provides useful, actionable data. We are inviting selected EMS organizations to participate in the study. The purpose of the study is to better quantify and understand the reasons for turnover at nearly every organizational level within the EMS industry. The study will be conducted and managed by Dennis Doverspike, PhD, and Rosanna Miguel, PhD, affiliated with the Center for Applied Talent Analytics at John Carroll University. Each individual or organizational response will be strictly confidential; no individual organization will be identified in any report or publication. Participating organizations will have full access to the final report at no charge.
Why participate in the survey?
- Educate elected officials, municipalities, and healthcare clients regarding regulatory and funding policies at the federal, regional, or local level.
- Validate the critical staffing challenges faced by the EMS industry.
- Gain insight into combating staff shortages.
Before You Start
Estimated completion time is approximately 20-30 minutes. We recommend you gather information about your employees and about turnover before completing the questionnaire. We will be asking about headcount (filled and open positions) and the number of employees leaving the organization for each of the following job categories: supervisor, dispatch, EMT, part-time EMT, paramedic, and part-time paramedic. We will also be asking about volunteer positions and the costs of recruitment, selection, and training.
The survey will open on June 1, 2026, and close on June 30, 2026. The survey can be accessed by following the link below. If the hyperlink does not work when clicked, please copy the hyperlink and paste it into your browser.
Click here to access the link: AAA – Newton 360 Turnover Survey
Or copy and paste the link: https://johncarroll.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ehQfLtOWwA6TEbQ
Thank you,
Scott Moore, Esq.
Newton 360
Workforce Dynamics, Inc.
(781) 236-4411 office
(781) 771-9914 mobile
2025 EMSNext Recipients Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Samantha Hilker
Sr. Director of Strategic Initiatives
shilker@ambulance.org
American Ambulance Association Announces 2025 EMSNext Winners
Washington, D.C. – The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is proud to recognize its third annual class of EMSNext honorees. EMSNext is a groundbreaking initiative that spotlights emerging emergency medical services (EMS) leaders and offers them leadership development, structured mentorship, and collaborative networking opportunities throughout the year. These 16 outstanding individuals from 10 states join a growing network of 54 EMSNext program alumni poised to assume prominent leadership roles in the profession.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome the 2025 class of EMSNext,” said AAA President Jamie Pafford-Gresham. “Their passion, dedication, and leadership inspire us all and promise a brighter, more resilient future for EMS. Together, they will stand at the forefront of mobile healthcare excellence for patients across the nation—now and in the future.”
- Oluwafemi “Daniel” Adebisi | Commercial Project Manager, Falck USA | California
- Nancy Chustz | Communications Operations Manager, Acadian Ambulance Service | Louisiana
- Rebekah Cummings | Operations Coordinator, Acadian Ambulance Service | Louisiana
- Cassandra Ewig-Bruss | Scheduling Coordinator, Bell Ambulance | Wisconsin
- Ryan Felshaw | Operations Manager, MedicWest Ambulance | Nevada
- Damian Gonzales | Deputy Director of Operations, Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC) | North Carolina
- Gavin James Hall | Education & Quality Manager, Pafford Emergency Medical Services, Inc. | Louisiana
- William Hardy | Critical Care Paramedic, American Medical Response | Tennessee
- Matthew Herman | Data Analyst, Costal Medical Transportation Services | Massachusetts
- Michael Kaduce | Director, Falck Health Institute | California
- Matthew Lewis | EMT Supervisor, Bell Ambulance | Wisconsin
- Amanda McQuistian | Operations Director, Lifecare Medical Transport | Virginia
- Shane Ryan | Administrative Operations Manager, Falck | California
- Maeve Shannahan | Emergency Medical Technician, Grady Emergency Medical Services | Georgia
- Heather Stenbroten | Administrative Director, Gold Cross Ambulance Service, Inc. | Wisconsin
- Heather Zimmerman | CFO & HR Manager, Ambulance Service of Manchester, LLC & Aetna Ambulance Service, Inc.| Connecticut
2025 EMSNext honorees receive complimentary registration to the American Ambulance Association Annual Conference & Trade Show in Lexington, KY June 22-24. They will be recognized at the conference’s opening keynote address on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in addition to participating in a collaborative workshop focused on solving the biggest challenges in out-of-hospital care.
“The EMSNext program is an investment in the future of our profession,” adds Pafford-Gresham. “By fostering leadership and innovation, we are strengthening EMS from the ground up, ensuring our communities continue to receive the highest quality emergency medical care.”
About the American Ambulance Association
The American Ambulance Association safeguards the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education. AAA advances sustainable EMS policy, empowering its members to serve their communities with high-quality on-demand healthcare. For more than 40 years, AAA has proudly represented those who care for people first.
Rural Health Grants Available | Technical Assistance Webinar December 11
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December 6, 2024
New Funding Available for Rural Health Care Services Outreach ProgramApply by January 27, 2025The Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program (Outreach) is open and accepting applications for the program’s 4-year period of performance (May 1, 2025-April 30, 2029). HRSA will make up to 50 awards to support rural communities to expand the delivery of health care services. These awards include:
Eligible applicants include all domestic public and private, nonprofit, and for-profit entities with demonstrated experience serving, or the capacity to serve, rural underserved populations. Applicants are also required to propose projects that serve exclusively HRSA-designated rural areas and be a part of a network comprised of three or more organizations with at least two-thirds or 66% percent network organizations physically located in a HRSA-designated rural area. Successful Outreach Program awardees will: 1) expand the delivery of health care services to include new and enhanced services exclusively in rural communities; 2) use innovative, evidence-based and promising practice models to inform their approach to addressing needs specific to their community; 3) demonstrate health outcomes; and 4) plan for sustainability after grant funding ends. A technical assistance webinar via Zoom will be held for applicants on Wednesday, Dec 11 at 2:00 pm Eastern. Examples of previously funded projects under this program are available at this link. Applicants may also benefit from the availability of Evidence-Based Toolkits for Rural Community Health which are informed by previous program investments by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy and the Rural Health Information Hub. For more information about this funding opportunity, contact the Program Coordinator, Mew Pongsiri, at RuralOutreachProgram@hrsa.gov.
Helpful links Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov |
CMS National Rural Health Day Webinar
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CMS Publishes Two New Reports on GADCS Website
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| Dear Ground Ambulance Providers and Suppliers,
We wanted you to be aware that we posted 2 reports on our Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System website under Reports: |
CMS GADCS: Public Safety Webinar Recording
CMS recently posted an updated Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) webinar on Public Safety Organizations on their Ambulance Events webpage.
OSHA Proposed Rule Impact Survey
Attention EMS Leaders!
We are reaching out to gather your insights on the potential financial impact of the recent OSHA Proposed Rule concerning health and safety requirements in the EMS sector. Your feedback is invaluable and will play a crucial role in shaping our understanding and response to these proposed changes.
We have prepared a short survey to capture your perspectives and estimate the potential implications on your operations. The survey can be accessed here, and we would appreciate all responses be submitted by May 15, 2024.
Please note that the public comment period for these changes closes on June 21, 2024. We aim to include the data collected from this survey in the AAA’s public comment letter to ensure that our industry’s voice is heard.
Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this important initiative. Your participation is essential in helping us navigate these potential regulatory changes effectively.
2024 EMSNext Recipients Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Samantha Hilker
Director of Strategic Initiatives
shilker@ambulance.org
American Ambulance Association Announces 2024 EMSNext Winners
Washington D.C. – The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is proud to announce the 2024 EMSNext Award Winners. This initiative shines a light on EMS’ emerging leaders, encouraging them to expand their horizons and skill sets by diving into the unique leadership programs, opportunities, and events offered by the AAA. EMSNext is more than an award; it’s a gateway for these promising individuals to connect, grow, and lead the future of emergency medical services.
“We’re thrilled to honor our 2024 EMSNext Award Winners,” says AAA President Randy Strozyk. “This is our chance to back the upcoming leaders who’ll shape the future of EMS. Their drive and innovative ideas inspire us all.”
Todd Cornett II | Chief of Field Operations, Jan-Care Ambulance, Inc. | Ghent, WV
Scott Dekas | Division Manager of Operations, Falk Northern California |Hayward, CA
Josh Duffy | Procurement Manager, REMSA Health | Reno, NV
Tyanie Gordon | Federal and National Services Clinical Director, Global Medical Response | Tucson, AZ
Elisabeth Handgraaf | Education & Training Coordinator, Critical Care Paramedic, Bell Ambulance, Inc. | Milwaukee, WI
Sean Lyons | Director of Mobile Integrated Health Services, Medically Home | CT
Casey McBeath | Director of Communications and Technology, Balentine Ambulance Service, Inc. | Shreveport, LA
Gibson McCullagh | Chief Operating Officer, Pro EMS | Cambridge, MA
Alex Pafford | Louisiana Director of Operations, Pafford EMS – Ruston | Ruston, LA
Marco Patino | Education Manager, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. | IL
Nick Romenesko | Operations Director, Gold Cross Ambulance | Menasha, WI
Mark Selapack | Division Manager – Operations, Falk Mobile Health | San Diego, CA
Brandon Trauba | Operations Manager, Lakes Region EMS | Stacy, MN
Adam Valine | District Chief, M Health Fairview | New Brighton, MN
Michelle Whennen | Revenue Cycle Manager, Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. | Elmhurst, IL
Scott Willits | Director of Mobile Integrated Health Strategy, Medically Home | OR
Austin Wingate | Deputy Chief, Grand County EMS | Littleton, CO
Thomas Wobby | Operations Manager, Pro EMS | Cambridge, MA
The winners will receive complimentary registration to the American Ambulance Association Annual Conference & Trade Show in Nashville, TN April 22-24. They will also be recognized at our opening keynote address on Monday, April 22, 2024.
“EMSNext is a cornerstone for nurturing the talents that will carry EMS into tomorrow,” shares Strozyk. “It’s about recognizing and empowering those who dare to innovate and lead in our field.”
About the American Ambulance Association
The American Ambulance Association safeguards the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education. AAA advances sustainable EMS policy, empowering its members to serve their communities with high-quality on-demand healthcare. For more than 40 years, AAA has proudly represented those who care for people first.
2024 Vanguard Award Winners Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Samantha Hilker
Director of Strategic Initiatives
shilker@ambulance.org
American Ambulance Association Announces 2024 Vanguard Award Winners
Washington D.C. – The American Ambulance Association (AAA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Vanguard Awards. The Vanguards honor those who blazed the trail for fellow women EMS professionals, and the 16 winners represent a diverse group of dedicated individuals who have made significant contributions to mobile healthcare.
“The Vanguard Awards pay tribute to the exceptional women who’ve torn down walls and laid the groundwork for those who follow,” AAA President Randy Strozyk remarked. “We’re honored to recognize and celebrate their contributions.”
Lisa Camp | EMS Chief, Friendswood EMS | Friendswood, TX
Jennie Collins | EMS Director, Dare County EMS | Manteo, North Carolina
Michelle Golba-Norek | MICN, Director of EMS Education, HMH JFK EMS | New Jersey
Jacqueline Greenidge-Payne | Director, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health State Office of EMS | St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Lavonne Hall | Chairman of the Board and CAO, Hall Ambulance Service | Bakersfield, CA
Kathy Hilton | AEMT, Billing Administrator, Trainer, Beaverhead Emergency Medical Services | Dillon, MT
Vicki Messer | Paramedic, retired | Jasper, TN
Carole A. Myers | Retired, Myers Ambulance Service | Greenwood, IN
J.L. (Matt) Netski | Administration Manager, American Medical Response/Medic West | Nevada
Suzanne Prentiss | Executive Director, American Trauma Society | New Hampshire
Jill C. Ridenhour | EMS Coordinator, Summit Fire and EMS | Silverthorne, CO
Ailyn Feir Risch | Paramedic Project Manager, American Medical Response | Commerce City, CO
Stacie Selmi | EMS Operations Supervisor, REMSA Health | Sparks, NV
Leslee Stein Spencer | Senior EMS Advisor, IL Dept. of Public Health | Chicago, IL
Jennifer A. Swab | Paramedic/Training Coordinator, Foxwall EMS | Pittsburgh, PA
Dawn “Lainey” Volk | Director of Outreach & Community Paramedicine, San Juan Island EMS | Friday Harbor, Washington
The Vanguard Awards are presented in collaboration with Women in Emergency Services (WiES), an organization dedicated to supporting and advancing women’s careers in the emergency services industry through empowerment, networking, mentorship, and education.
The winners will receive complimentary registration to the American Ambulance Association Annual Conference & Trade Show in Nashville, TN April 22-24. They will also be recognized at the President’s Reception on the evening of April 23, and their profiles will be featured on the AAA website and social media.
“The Vanguard Awards honor the achievements of women who have shattered obstacles and paved the way for upcoming generations,” Strozyk stated. “It is our privilege to commemorate their enduring impact.”
About the American Ambulance Association
The American Ambulance Association safeguards the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education. AAA advances sustainable EMS policy, empowering its members to serve their communities with high-quality on-demand healthcare. For more than 40 years, AAA has proudly represented those who care for people first.
CMS Ambulance Open Door Forum: Rescheduled
The Ambulance Open Door Forum has been rescheduled from March 14th to NEW DATE date, April 11th at the same time of 2:00pm-3:00pm ET. Thank you.
Overview:
The Ambulance Open Door Forum (ODF) addresses issues related to the Medicare payment, billing, and coverage for air and ground ambulance services. The Ambulance Fee Schedule (AFS) proposed and final rules, rural and other additional payments under the AFS, and Prior Authorization of Repetitive, Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport (RSNAT) are just some of the many types of issues addressed within the forum. In addition, discussions differentiating the rules related to ambulance providers and independent ambulance suppliers are facilitated. Timely announcements and clarifications regarding important rulemaking, agency program initiatives and other related areas are also included in the forum.
CMS Releases New GADCS Tip Sheet for Rural, Super Rural Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new “Reporting for Rural and Super-Rural Organizations Tip Sheet” on February 16, 2024. This guide assists ground ambulance organizations in rural and super-rural areas to meet the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) requirements.
You can find all of their tip sheets, including those focused on allocation, governmental, and public safety organizations, on the CMS GADCS website.
Services selected as part of the Year 3 and Year 4 list are due to submit their 2023 data to CMS by May 31, 2024, or 5 months after the close of their fiscal year. The AAA offers various resources to help services collect, verify, and submit data on time and avoid penalties. For more information about our resources, including Amber, email hello@ambulance.org.
CMS Updates GADCS User Guide | Feb 29 Office Hours
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Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System Overview Webinar – January 18
Dear ground ambulance providers and suppliers,
Starting January 1, 2024, selected ground ambulance organizations in Year 3 and Year 4 are required to report cost, utilization, revenue, and other information to CMS. Organizations that fail to report may be subject to a 10 percent payment reduction.
Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System Overview Webinar – January 18
Thursday, January 18 from 2– 3:30 pm ET
Register for this webinar. While everyone is welcome to participate, this session will be most relevant to selected ground ambulance organizations in Years 3 and 4 as they start reporting Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System (GADCS) data to CMS in 2024.
This 60-minute presentation will cover all aspects of the GADCS, including:
- Overview and key concepts
- Section walkthrough
- User accounts, logging in, and linking to your organization
- Submitting and certifying your data
A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
More Information:
- Ambulance Events webpage: The January 18 presentation will be posted here
- Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System webpage:
- Printable version of the GADCS instrument in English and Spanish
- GADCS User Guide
- Tip sheets on reporting and getting access, FAQs, and prior educational sessions
- Lists of ground ambulance organizations required to participate in Years 1–4
CMS Ambulance Open Door Forum 11/30
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GAPBAC | Registration Open for Oct 31, Nov 1 Meetings
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CRS Issues Overview of Select No Surprises Act Litigation
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CMS Shares GADCS Walkthrough
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